Incubator



W F. HILLPOT INCUBATOR Filed July 26; 1922 HGTl F.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 L Li April 8, 1924; 1,489,597

W. F. HILLPOT INCUBATOR Filed July 26, 1922 5 Sheets-Sheet HGTX 3T- Aprii s, 1924. 1,489,597

W. F. HELLPOT INCUBATOR Filed July 26.- 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 4 m. ZcZ

Zhwrnim A rifs, 1924. I 1,489,597

W F. HILLPOT INCUBATOR Filed July 26 192 5 Sheets-$heet 5 Jmmntnr:

- 1s a specification, referenceb'einghad to the means for supportin lated in a 'is that each cha'i'a'cter above 7 is a rectangular,

Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

UNITED. STATES WILLIA M FINNEY HILLPQT, 0F FBENCH'I'OWN, NEW JERSEY."

1,4 9,597 PATENT orri ce. I

, mmms Application flledJuly 26, 1922' Serial No. 577,499.

I 1 'n all whom it may concern:

known that I, WILLIAM FINNEY- Be it HiLLro'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at F renchtown, in the count IIunterdon and State of New ment in Incubators -whereof accompanyin draw ngs. 4

It is the ob cct oimy invention to provide eg 5, duringthe period of incubation t creel, in such manner, that the e at inte rvals,'1n simulation of the, turning movements naturally imparted to such eggs by the mother birds, and in such environment as todaiford the desireddegree of warmth during such period, while maintaining the ie'ggs in such relation to each other that they may be individually inspected at any time;

A characteristic feature ofmy invention egg isso supported that it may be tilted in two vertica planes, angles to each other, so thateven without changing the position of the eggs with respect to the supporting element with which they are in direct contact, each egg may be.

disposed, in succession m four difi'erent positions of rotation with respect't-o the earth Aer-hereinafter ient' 'tb provide supportin meansof the contemp ate'd, including trayswhich are square frames open at the .top but covered at the bottom with foraminous material,

each of said trays having opposite axial y alined trunnions intermediate of'its width, coinciding ,with itshorizontal axis of oscillation; so that each such tra R may be oscilvertical planeoreover, I find it convenient to mount a series of such trays, with their; respective axes of oscillation parallel with each other. in ah'older which parallelogram frame, havits opposite longitudinal mg bearings at sides, for the respective trunnions of said series of trays, and having means support; ing said frame so that it may be tilted upon a horizontal axis verse relation to the axes of oscillation of the trays'which it supports. Such holder supporting means preferabl' includes flexiblecomiectors to which sai holder frames are attached so as to be suspended by such of. Jersey, ave nvented a certain new'and useful Irn rovethe fol owing chne the series of trays supported holder.

ggs may be repeatedly turned,

ofthe position ts axis, .at right may be transverse described, I find it conven of oscillation, in trans connectors. As hereinafter described, such connectors may be chains extending over sheaves having horizontal axes of so that when one a holder is raised, the opposite e go is correspondingly depressed; so as to thus in- The construction and arrangement above contemplated aresuch, that the freedoms ofmovements'of said trays and holders are such'that the trays may be tilted in either direction, upon. their individual axes,

regardless of the position in which such trayaxes are held by the holdeigand, the holders may be tilted, in either direction, regardless in which the trays which they hold are tilted so that each tray may disposed in several-different efi'ect'of preventing by said the embryos from sticking to the shells."

For instance, each tray may be tilted, upon .the eggs u antreatment. such as lnsect wirescreenin' My invention includes the various novel to and from horiitrays may features of construction, arrangement andprocedure hereinafter more definitely specified. owcrer, claims including the specific construction shown in Figs. X to XIV inclusive of this case are included" in no application Serial No. 659,429 filed August- 27. 1923, as a division of this case.

In. said drawings; Fig. I is a plan View of a convenient embodiment of my inventxou, including a series of three egg trayslnnunted in an oblong holder frame.

Fig ll is a front edgeelevation of the structure shown in Fig. and holder frame in horizontal position.

Fig. III is a front'igd ture. similar to "Fig; II. but with the egg trays respectively ti-ltedto the same degree of inclination in one direction Fig. IV is a front edge view of said struc go vie-w of'said struc- I; with said trays v Y similar egg tray inverted over it to form an inclosure for the hatched chicks.

Fig. VII is a fragmentary end elevation of a vertical series of egg trays and their respective holders, such as shown in Figs. I and II, with convenient means for oscillating the holder frames, arranged to tilt the axes of oscillation of the individual egg trays; whereby said trays are arranged to be tilted in altitudina'l planes which are in transverse relation to each other.

Fig. VIII is a fragmentary edge elevation of the structure shown in Fig. II, but on a larger scale, showing details of construction and arrangement of means for temporarily detaining the respective trays in their different gositions of inclination.

Fig. I is a plan view of the fragmentary structure shown in Fig. VIII.

Fig. X is a diagrammatic elevation of an embodiment of my invention, wherein a series of such egg trays and holders may be successively progressed from one region to an- "other in an inclosure heated to different temthe opposite side walls of em peratures at difierent regions, adapted for the best incubatin' effect.

Fig. X1 is a iagrammatic, partly sectional, elevation of the structure shown in Fig. X, taken on the line XI,.XI in Fig. X.

ig. XII is a front edge view of a series of the structure shown in Fig. III, connected in multiple operative relation.

Fig. XIII is a fragmentary, partly sec tional, view of the upper shaft shown in Fig. X, with sprocket wheels respectively rigidly and frictionally held on said shaft.

Fig. XIV is a fragmentary perspective view showing the construction and arrangement whereby the egg holders or racks are automatically engaged anddisengaged-at the top and bottom bights of the chains where they extend around the sprocket wheels in Fi X.

said figures; the egg trays each comprise a rectangular, and conveniently square, marginal frame 1, which is open at the top, and covered at the bottom with a web 2, preferably of foraminous material ada ted tb support the eggs 3 while permitting ree cir' cu ation of air around them. Such a web is conveniently formed of insect screen wire, and is preferably reinforced and supported atintervals by the cross bars 5 which are rigidly connected at their opposite ends with frame 1. Each veniently a chain,

which are mounted to rotate upon shafts 12,

of said trays 1 is provided with trunnions 6,

axially alined at the middle of each tray and projectin'gi from opposite sides thereof, coincident wit 1 the axis of oscillation of the tray. Means supportin said trays with their trunnions extending orizontally, for altitudinal tilting movement; (i. e., tilting movement whereby their angular height may be varied), in a vertical plane, include a ,holder comprising a rectangular p'arallelo am frame 8, which, as indicated in Figs. III and IX is conveniently formed of channel iron. Each of said holder frames 8 has bearings 9 at its opposite longitudinal sides, for the respective trunnions 6 of said trays; lhu arrangement being such that the axes of oscillation of said trays, coincident with their respective trunnions 6, are arallel with each other, as indicated in Fig.

Each of said holder frames has means supporting it so that it may be tilted upon a horizontal axis of oscillation, in transverse relation to the axes of oscillation of the trays which it supports. For instance, as indicated in Fig. V I; each holder frame 8 is suspended upon a' flexible connector 10, conextendi'ng over sheaves 11,

parallel with each other. It is to be understood that the arrangement shown in Fig.

VII is such that when one longitudinal edge of any holder 8 is raised, the opposite edge thereof is correspondingly depressed; so that.

said holder frames may be held in horizontal position, as indicated in full lines in said figure, or tilted so as to be inclined: in either of two opposite directions; as indicated in dotted lines. i

In other words; rangement above described are such that the freedoms of movement of said trays and holders permit each tray 1 to be tilted, so as to be inclinedineither of two opposite directions, upon its individual axis, coincident with its ,trunnions 6, regardless of the position in which such axis is held by its holder 8, and said holder may be tilted, so as to be inclined in either of two opposite directions, regardless of the position in which the tray is tilted upon its individual axis aforesaid; so that each tray may be inc-lined in at least four different positions with red ect to the earth.

. I fin it convenient to form said .tray

frames 1 of wood, and to provide each of their trunnions 6 with a base plate 15 having holes to receive wood screws 46 by which. connected with such it may be rigidly frames. Said bearings 9 forthe trunnions 6 have holes to receive machine screws 18 by which they arerigidly connected with the metal holder frames 8, in the positions shown in Figs. I to IV inclusive. I also find it convenient to rovide detent means, to detain each tray in. its position of adjustthe construction and ar assess? position, as above contemplated, and such means. may conveniently include strips of spring metal 19 which are-bent to U-shape, as indicated in Figs. VIII and IX, and have holes in. their opposite ends which register with the holes in said trunnion base plates 15, so as to be engaged by said screws 16, and resiliently present the bight20 of each strip in position to selectively engage, in any one of the three recesses 22, 23 or 24, the tapered inner end of a detent screw-26, which is in threaded engagement with the respective holder frame 8 and held in proper position therein by a jam nut 27. It may-be observed that said recesses 22, 28 and 24 respectively correspond with the three positions in the range of tilting movement of the trays, indicated in the rawings.

Although each tray may be thus independently adjusted and retained in any selected position of'inclination; I find it de-' sirable to operatively connect such trays in vertical series, so that any desired number of them may be tilted by one movement which is sufiicient to tilt anyone of them. Such means may include screw studs 29 respectively attached to the tray frames 1 and fitted to engage holes in links 30, which I have indicated as formed of stamped sheet metal, but which may be formed of wire or any other suitable material.

Each of the eggs 3 may thus be inclined, mechanically, in simulation of the move ments naturally imparted to anincubating egg, by the mother bird, with the effect that the embryos are lprevented from adhering to the'lining mem they do when the eggs are allowe stationary. Moreover, such repeated movements of the eggs have a'stimulating edect upon the development of the embryos so that more of the latter survive than is the case when the eggs are allowed to remain stationary. l

As indicated in Fig. VI; said eg frame trays 1 may be used as eoops for the Imtched chicks 32, by inverting one tray over another. For instance, a vertical series of such trays may be loaded. with eggs at such intervals that the operator can predetermine which tray contains the eggs which have reached the hatching stage-and invert another tray over that particular tray; so as to prevent the escape of the chicks 32 after they hatch.

In order to facilitate such to remain operation of my ihvention as last above contemplated; I find' it convenient to not only arrange the egg trays and their holders in vertical series, as indicated in Fig. VII, but to sosupportsuch series that the trays: ma'y be progressed, from a region of introduction of eggs to a region of discharge of chicks through an atfrom the lower platform or floor 38-.

rane of theeg shells, as I mosphere, confined by an enclosure the temperature of which may be controlled to such a degree as to afford the maximum efliciency of hatching effect. It is generally understood that it is desirable to have the eggs in an atmosphere which is warmer than the eggs at the beginning of the incubating period than at the-end thereof, although it I may be maintained at ,a constant tci'nperaturc, of say 100 F., and my invention may be embodied in any suitable structure adapted for attaining that result. For instance, as indicated in Fig. X, such a vertical series of egg trays and holder frames may be detachably connected with and supported by endless chain belts 34 within a chamber in which the temperature. may be controlled by any suitable means. As indicated; said chamber is 'inclosed by the housing 36-in-v cluding a platform or floou37 at the upper level, where it is desired to eharge the trays 1 with fresh eggs, and said trays 1 are caused to gradually descend, by movement of said chains 34, through said ehamber 35, duringthe period of-incubation, an that when the lowermost trays in the series, and accessible Such an arrangement permits the trays and holder frames to be manually removed from the bottom of the vertical series aforesaid and recharged with fresh eggs, in succession; so that the incul'iating process is practically continuous, Of course, in such a structure, the atmosphere in the chamber 35 can be maintained at any suitable temperature in every part, by any suitable means. he observed that even if the source of heat is at the bottom of said chamber, the natural convection currents are such as to cause the upper portion of the chamber 35 to be warmest, unless a fan or other suitable means are" provided for counteracting such natural temperature conditions.

Althou h all of the movements of the egg trays and their holder 'frames above descrlbed maybe effected manually, I find it convenient to effect such movements auto-- matically. For instance, said chain belts 34 extend around sprocket Wheels 40 and 41' one shaft 43' with a.

43, by any suitable means,

shaft having'bevel gear connections wit said shafts '43. Such a belt the dotted linesat 49 in Fig. 1.

It may chains may be 'pro-.

gear 45 engaged by a worm 46 driven a small electric motor 48, and operatively connecting that shaft 43 with the other shaft for instance,'a crossed belt, or a transversely extendin is indicated by In that ar-' rangement, the holder frames 8 have 'studs 50 which extend through the links of said chain belts 3a, in such relation thereto that they are.

. vertica automatically engaged and disengaged 'respectively at the top and bottom bights of said chains where they extend around said sprocket wheels. In the arrangement last described, the sprocket wheels upon one side of the frames 8 may be rigidly connected with their respective shafts, whereas, the sprocket wheels upon the other side of said holder frames 8 may be frictionally engaged with their respective shafts. so that the chains 34 upon one side of said holder frames 8 may be shifted relatively to the chains 34 upon the opposite side of said holder frames 8, to etl'cct the tilting movements of said holders, as above described. I find it convenient to effect such tilting movements so as to change the position of the eggs at intervals of six hours. although. of course, such changes may be effected at any desired intervals. Although I have. illustrated means for effecting oscillatory movements of the eggs altitudinally, i. e., up and down in substantially vertical planes; it is to be understood that it is immaterial whether such planes are precisely perpendicular or not. Moreover, although such supporting means illustrated permits such oscillatory move- 'ments in planes which are at right angles to each other; it is to be understood that it is not. essential that such movements should be eifected in planes in such normal relation to each other, as they may be in other transverse relation, i. e., less or more than right angular relation. v

Although, for the reasbns stated above, it is convenient to employ my invention with the eg trays and their holders arranged in l series: of course, they may be otherwise arranged.- Therefore, I do not desire to limit myself to the pr'ecise details of com struction and arrangement herein set forth, as it is obvious that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the essential features of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: Q 1. In an incubator; the combination with a tray, comprising a rectangular marginal frame, open at the top, and covered at the bottom with asheet of foraminous material; bf trunnions axially alined at the middle of said tray and projecting from opposite sides thereof, coincident with the axis of oscillation of. said tray; means supporting said tray with its tr'u'nnions extending horizontally, for tilting movement in a vermcludlng a holder comprising a tical plane, rectangular parallelogram frame, having bearings atits opposite longitudinal sides. for the respective trnnnions of said tray, and having means supporting said holder frame so that it may be tilted upon a horizontal axis of osci ation, in transverse relation to the axis .of oscillation of said tray, such holder supporting means including a flexible connector'suspending said holder; whereby whenone longitudinal edge of said holder is raised, the opposite edge thereof is correspondingly depressed; the freedom of movement'of said tray and holder being such that the tray may be tilted in either direction upon its axis, regardless of the position in which said axis is held by the holder, and the holder may be'tilted,.in either direction, regardless of the position in which the tray is tilted; so that said tray may be disposed in several different positions with respect to the earth.

2. In an incubator the combination with a tray, comprising a marginal frame, open at the top, and covered at the bottom: of

trunnions axially alined and projecting.

from opposite sidesthereof, coincident with the axis of oscillation of said tray; means supporting said'tray for altitudinaltillting movementpincluding a holder comprising an oblong frame,'having bearings at its opposite longitudinal sides, for the respective trunnions of said tray, and having means supporting said holder frame so that it ma gardless of the position in which the tray is.

tilted.

3. In an incubator; the combination with 51 so be tilted in transverse relation to the axis of a tray, comprising a marginal frame, open at the top, and covered at the bottom; of trunnions axially alined and rojectin from opposite sides thereof, coincident wit 1 the axis of oscillation of said tray; means supporting said tray for altitudinal tilting movement, including a holder comprisingan oblong frame, having bearings atits opposite longitudinal sides, for the respective trunnions of said tray, and having means supporting said holder frame so that it may be tilted in transverse relation to the axis of oscillation of said tray. such holder supporting means suspending said holder; whereby when one longitudinal edge of said holder is raised, the opposite edge thereof is correspondingly depressed; the freedom of movement of said tray and bolder being such that the tray may be tilted in either direction upon its axis, regardless of the position in which said axis is held b the hold-v er, and the holder may be tilte in either,

direction. regardless of the position in which the tray is tilted. v

4. In an incubator; the combination with at the top,

longitudinal edge of said holder is waisted,

the opposite edge thereofiscorrespondingly depressed; the freedom ofmovement of sai tray and holder being suchthat' the tray may be tilted in either direction upon its axis, regardless of the position in which said axis is held by the holder, and the holder may be tilted, in either direction, regardless of the position in which the tray is tilted.

5. In an incubator; the combination with a tray,.comprising a marginal frame, open at the top, and covered at the bottom; of

trunnious axiallyalined and projecting from opposite sides thereof, coincident with the axis of oscillation of said tray: means supporting said titay for altitudinalmovev.ment iucluding a holder comprising a frame, hariug bearings at its opposite sides,

for the respective trunnions of said tray, and

having means supporting said holder frame so that it may be tilted in transverse relation to the axis of oscillation of said tray; whereby when one longitudinal edge .of said holder. is raised, the opposite edge thereof is correspondingly depressed; the freedom of direction, regardless of the the tray is tilted.

'movenient of said tray and holder being such that the tray may-be tilted in either direction upon its axis, regardless of the po-", sition in which said axis is held by the hold er, and the holder maybe tilted, in either 6. In an incubator; the combinatioh position in which an e tra com risin a mar inal frame open atthe top and covered at the bottom;

of means supporting said tray for oscillatory movement upon an axis 1ntermed1ate of its opposite edges, and means supporting said axis for oscillatory movement, upon an-. other axis, transverse-to said first axis, and intermediate of the opposite edges of said tray, including a holder frame in which said tray is mounted.

7. In an incubator; the'coinbination with an egg tray, comprising a marginal frame and an egg supporting web held by said, frame; of means arranged to support said tray with freedom of oscillatory. movement in two vertical planes at right angles to each other.

8. In an incubator; the combination with an egg tray, comprising a marginal frame and an egg supporting web held by 'said frame; of means arranged to support said tray with freedom of oscillatory movement in planes in transverse relation to each other. In testimony whereof, vI have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia, Pennsylva-- nia, this twelfth day of July, 1922.;

WILLIAM FINNEY HILLPOT. lVitnesses:

ARTHUR E. Pawn,- CAROLYN E. REUTE'R. 

